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WO1996008779A9 - Procede et appareil de preparation d'un document de base de donnees au niveau d'un poste de traitement local et chargement de donnees en provenance de sources eloignees dans ledit document - Google Patents

Procede et appareil de preparation d'un document de base de donnees au niveau d'un poste de traitement local et chargement de donnees en provenance de sources eloignees dans ledit document

Info

Publication number
WO1996008779A9
WO1996008779A9 PCT/AU1995/000615 AU9500615W WO9608779A9 WO 1996008779 A9 WO1996008779 A9 WO 1996008779A9 AU 9500615 W AU9500615 W AU 9500615W WO 9608779 A9 WO9608779 A9 WO 9608779A9
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
survey
document
accordance
question
database
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1995/000615
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1996008779A1 (fr
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AUPM8133A external-priority patent/AUPM813394A0/en
Application filed filed Critical
Priority to US08/765,279 priority Critical patent/US5842195A/en
Priority to AU35581/95A priority patent/AU715279B2/en
Priority to NZ293197A priority patent/NZ293197A/xx
Priority to GB9705629A priority patent/GB2307574B/en
Publication of WO1996008779A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996008779A1/fr
Publication of WO1996008779A9 publication Critical patent/WO1996008779A9/fr

Links

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and method for obtaining and collating information from a plurality of computer users. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method and system for asking questions of computer users having access to electronic mail, and to a method and system for collating their responses and presenting them in a database.
  • the task of processing responses to the question or questions becomes extremely difficult. Where a large number of users provide responses, the task can be almost impossible. This difficultly will be aggravated where a large number of questions are asked.
  • the amount of information to process can be staggering and the user who asked the questions may be faced with the onerous task of sorting through a large amount of mail, item by item, to extract and collate the information he requires. Where a large amount of information is required from a large number of people, it is impractical for one person to deal with.
  • the managing director may wish to ask many different types of questions of his staff on a on-going day-to day basis. His only option for processing the responses is to do it himself, item by item, or, if he has not got time (as is usually the case) to employ somebody to do it.
  • the present invention advantageously provides a way of asking a question of any number of users, preferably via electronic mail or an equivalent communications media, and automatically receiving, identifying and processing responses to the question.
  • the present invention provides A system for obtaining information from a plurality of computer users:
  • a processing apparatus including an input means via which a survey author may input data, and a survey authoring means enabling construction of a survey questionnaire document including at least one question formulated from data input by the survey author;
  • transmission means for transmitting the survey questionnaire document to a plurality of respondent users
  • a processing apparatus including a collating means arranged to receive transmissions from the transmission means, to identify response documents which include responses to the at least one question from the plurality of respondent users and to load a database in accordance with the responses.
  • a "survey author” is any person who wishes to use the survey document authoring means to construct a survey questionnaire document.
  • the transmission means is preferably electronic mail. Please note that the terminology electronic mail is not only used in a narrow sense, but used in a more general sense, to mean any way of communicating between computer users utilising telecommunications media
  • the transmission means may even include transmission of floppy disks including the response document, by ordinary mail, although this is not preferable.
  • the collator means is preferably arranged to monitor all electronic mail being received by the processing apparatus in which the collator means is included, to sort the electronic mail to identify response documents.
  • Electronic mail not including a response document is not processed any further by the collation means.
  • further processing takes place.
  • the further processing includes locating the database which is to receive the responses to the survey document, and loading the database in accordance with the responses.
  • the apparatus and method of the present invention advantageously enables the user of a processing apparatus such as a computer to prepare a survey document asking for information on any subject he desires, utilising at least one question or any number of questions determined by the user, to transmit the survey document to any number of remote processing apparatus, preferably by electronic mail, to receive and automatically collate response documents containing or specifying responses to the survey document provided by users of the remote processing apparatus to which the survey document is transmitted, and loading the database with answers, so that the answers are all conveniently presented in a database for subsequent analysis.
  • a processing apparatus such as a computer to prepare a survey document asking for information on any subject he desires, utilising at least one question or any number of questions determined by the user, to transmit the survey document to any number of remote processing apparatus, preferably by electronic mail, to receive and automatically collate response documents containing or specifying responses to the survey document provided by users of the remote processing apparatus to which the survey document is transmitted, and loading the database with answers, so that the answers are all conveniently presented in a database for subsequent analysis.
  • the invention preferably provides the ability to gather information very easily and quickly over vast distances and to automatically present the information in an already-collated and format. It can be used for any number of information gathering applications.
  • the information obtained by embodiments of this invention is preferably "fresh". It can be obtained very quickly and is therefore more likely to be relevant than information obtained by prior art methods, such as opinion polling. Because the information is automatically processed and presented in a database, there is no need to undertake the laborious job of individually processing each response document. An immense amount of time can be saved. Because of the automatic collation, a single survey author may poll thousands of respondent users, their responses being processed for him automatically almost as soon as they arrive. It can be considered akin to the survey author simultaneously having a "conversation" with thousands of people. Instead of the responses being a jumble of noise, as it would in a real life conversation with such a crowd, the user receives the information presented in an immediately understandable format of his choice.
  • the database used may be any type of computer data storage arrangement. It may be a relational database or series of databases of the type presently known.
  • the database preferably includes a plurality of fields for receiving answers dictated by the responses. Each database field for an answer is preferably uniquely identified by a column label, which may relate to the question asked, and a "row” label which relates to the identity of the respondent user.
  • the terms “columns” and “rows” are not used in any limited sense to indicate that all the databases are physically matrixes (although they can be represented that way), but to indicate that each answer field has a unique identifier.
  • the row label is preferably the electronic mail name and address of the respondent user. One or more "columns" in the database may be required to contain the row electronic mail address.
  • the system may be arranged to override the previous weeks data field values or add a further row, including the latest response and identifying it by date and time of response as well as electronic mail name and address.
  • the data base field values may be derived from the response provided by the respondent user or may actually be the response provided by the respondent user, e.g., where the response is text information.
  • the information can be manipulated in any way the user requires, utilising all the database facilities. For example, graphical plots may be made of responses.
  • a particular advantage of using E-Mail is that it is possible to store the address of respondent users in the database, for later use. It would then, for example, be possible to mail back further questions to persons giving a particular response to one or more questions in a previous survey document. For example, if a particular survey question was "Do you like chocolate", and half the respondents said yes and the other half said no, it would be possible to prepare a further survey document asking; "Would you like to have a free sample of our new chocolate bar brand X", and only mail it to the respondent users who said "yes" to liking chocolate.
  • the second survey document could be prepared and transmitted very quickly, merely by instructing the processing apparatus that the survey document is only to go to those people that said yes to the "Do you like chocolate?" question.
  • the system therefore preferably has the ability to nail two respondents of previous surveys, to facilitate this "conversational" style of communication.
  • the process of "conversation” may be particularly important when the analysed data shows a trend that the Survey Author did not expect and did therefore not include any questions to cover this eventuality. He can produce further survey documents to send to the respondents including those questions that he did not include in the first place. Conversation is further facilitated by the ability to choose which respondents to mail to, may be depending upon their responses to previous questions, combined with the ability to store electronic mail name and address lists of respondents.
  • the database is preferably created automatically by the survey authoring means, preferably when the survey document has been completed, and, more preferably, immediately before transmission of the survey document. It is not generally necessary for the user to input any data specifically to prepare the database, although a facility is preferably available to enable the user to choose labels for database columns and/or rows.
  • the survey preparation means is preferably arranged to allow labels for database columns to be inserted. If the user does not wish to insert any labels himself, the survey document preparation means is preferably arranged to select the headings itself, i.e., by default.
  • the database is preferably constructed as a matrix, having at least one question column and a plurality of user rows, the rows and columns specifying a plurality of database answer fields for receipt of answers (being derived from the respondent users responses) to the at least one question, each row being associated with a particular respondent user who may receive or has received the survey document and may provide or has provided an answer document (response document) .
  • the question column is associated with the at least one question asked. It will be appreciated, as discussed above that the matrix format is preferred, but it will also be appreciated that the invention extends to cover any type of database structure.
  • the survey questionnaire document or a subset thereof may be stored to enable re-transmission of the survey document at a later stage, as a reminder should any of the pre-selected users not have provided a response document.
  • the database is also preferably constructed just prior to transmission. Where the respondent user identities are known the entire database may be constructed (pre-populated).
  • the option does exist of constructing a database as answer documents are received and processed, e.g., a particular user row will only be added when an answer document is processed.
  • This embodiment may have applications where, for example, the survey document is posted on a "bulletin board" for use by any persons who wish to answer the survey.
  • Each row or row label will therefore only be added as responses come in and are processed by the collation means.
  • the response document preferably includes an identifier identifying the database survey it belongs to, so that the collation means can load the appropriate database with the response and construct a further row label .
  • user is meant any natural person or group of persons, company or generally an “identity” who may be specified by the survey author.
  • the survey document may be saved on a respondent users system this enables the remote user (respondent user) to send responses back to the collator when and as often as desired. This could be useful in any circumstances where data is collected on a regular basis. For example, recording telephone sales inquiries.
  • the survey document may include any number of questions and may also include branched-to questions linked to another question or questions such that the branched-to question or questions will only be required to be answered by a respondent user if the respondent
  • a survey document may include a string of questions linked to each other and the branched-to question or questions may be asked if the remote user has given one or more predetermined answers to the string of questions and to the question to which the branched-to question is linked.
  • the survey document is presented to the respondent user as a plurality of screens (where there are a plurality of questions), each screen asking, generally, one question.
  • a screen presenting a branched-to question will not be presented by the display to the remote user unless he makes one or more predetermined answers to a previous question or questions.
  • Whether a branched-to question is presented may also depend on whether another or other questions have been presented or will be presented to the remote user (respondent user). In other words, if the respondent users answers have meant that he has "bypassed” a question or questions, then a particular branched-to question may be presented. Note that it is also possible to ask a number of questions on a single screen and whether a particular question is presented may depend on his answer or combination of answers to any one or more of these questions.
  • the survey document in this preferred embodiment is "dynamic", in the sense that it will only present questions to a respondent user if the respondent user has made a predetermined answer or answers to a linked question or questions.
  • the survey document will guide the respondent user on a path through the document which is determined by the respondent users answers. Questions which are not relevant to the respondent user, as determined by his answers to other questions, will never be asked of the respondent user. This has the advantage that it is not necessary for the respondent user to wade through a series of displayed questions to find the ones that are relevant to him. He will be automatically guided through the document. It saves time.
  • the survey authoring means preferably includes a branch control means which enables construction of a complex linked survey document structure on the basis of data input by the survey author.
  • the branch control means includes branch control operator commands which are selectable by the survey author to govern the link structure. These are a tools which the survey author can use to construct a complex document with many pathways through it.
  • the step of preparing the survey document includes specifying an allowable answer or a plurality of allowable answers to the at least one question, so that remote users of may specify at least one of the allowable answers, when processing the survey document on their computer(s).
  • a database field value is specified for each allowable answer.
  • the database field value is entered in the appropriate database field.
  • the field value may be comprised of numeric or alphanumeric characters, may be any desired symbol or symbols.
  • the specified field value for a particular question may be generated automatically from components of the question itself, components of the allowable answer, or may be an automatically generated default.
  • the allowable answers in some cases may be text to be inserted by the respondent user.
  • a length for the allowable text may be specified by the survey author.
  • the database field value will be whatever text the respondent user inputs, within the allowable field length. This allows for anything from simple answers to more complicated text answers.
  • a question or questions is not asked of a particular user, i.e., it may have been bypassed because the users responses to other questions in the survey document meant that it was not appropriate for him to be asked that question or questions (see above) then, preferably, a "never seen" value is entered in the appropriate database field on collation.
  • the person accessing the database can therefore see at a glance whether or not a particular user actually "saw” a particular question.
  • the never-seen value may include any choice of character or group of characters and may be specified by the survey author or as a default by the survey document preparation means.
  • the step of preparing the plurality of allowable answers may include preparing a grid, having rows and columns providing a matrix of cells for receiving the allowable answers.
  • a title head is preferably prepared for each row and column in the matrix.
  • buttons grid there are three types of grids which may be applied.
  • An option buttons grid a numeric field grid and a check box grid.
  • buttons grid only one question column is generally required in the database even though there may be a plurality of cells in the grid for receiving the allowable answers.
  • the field values associated with each allowable answer are taken from components of the row and/or column heading for each particular cell.
  • Option button grids may also be provided including sub-groups of option buttons each requiring an answer. In this case, there will be as many question columns in the database as there are groups of option buttons requiring an answer. The groups are preferably in rows and columns.
  • a question column in the database is required for each cell of the grid.
  • the headings of these question columns may preferably be formed from components of the row and/or column head of the grid.
  • the step of preparing the Survey Document further includes the step of scanning the Survey Document when it has been completed by the survey author and identifying any errors in the question structure, utilising a scan test means included in the processing apparatus including the survey authoring means.
  • each question in the Survey Document must come from at least one previous question and lead to at least one further question, apart from the first and last questions in the Survey Document which will come from the start of the document (N.B., the first question will be designated by the author of the document.
  • it is open to the author to formulate the questions first and then designate their sequence in the structure of the document separately) and lead to "finish", respectively.
  • a scan test function which scans through all the pathways in the document to identify errors, particularly of the "orphan” or “cul-de-sac” type, although it may identify other "mechanical” errors of this type which may lead to breakdown of pathway in the Survey Document.
  • the scan test means applying the scan test function will also test for missing, duplicate and illegal database names (e.g., the database name not allowed by the particular database which is being constructed, e.g., in DOS only eight characters are allowed for a database name).
  • the scan test function preferably also provides a display listing of all the variable information in the Survey Document, variable information generally being any item in the document that the local user may. exercise a choice in selecting, for example, "Goto's", whether the question is branched to or not, database field titles, etc., but does not display, in general, any textual information from the question content of the Survey Document.
  • the listing enables the local user to check that the mechanical structure of the document (the pathways leading through the Survey Document) is correct, by visually checking the listing. Further, in one embodiment, the items in which errors have been identified are indicated in the listing, preferably by highlighting these particular items. By clicking on any of the items on his screen the local user will automatically be taken to the actual item. It is therefore possible for him to easily be able to check the document and correct any errors indicated.
  • the steps of preparation of survey questionnaire document, transmission, processing of the survey document by a respondent user (remote user) return of the survey document to the collation means and collator operate as follows:
  • a survey master document is originally constructed and includes operator commands for controlling the display of the respondent users computer to display questions, and, in response to the remote users input, to display selected ones of the questions depending upon the linkage structure of the document. It also includes a return E-Mail address for the collation means. E-Mail addresses of respondent users are inserted prior to transmission.
  • the database is constructed from instructions input by the survey author and/or defaults.
  • the survey questionnaire document (preferably a subset of the master) is transmitted and at the same time saved so that reminders can be transmitted if required (note the survey document is preferably transmitted as a "subset" SVQ, of the. originally prepared master, sum, and it is the SVQ which is stored).
  • the survey document is transmitted with respondent control means, used to control the respondents terminal to run the survey document.
  • respondent control means is pre-loaded on the respondents computer, and is arranged to control the respondents terminal to process a survey document when one is received.
  • the database is preferably constructed.
  • the respondent users terminal is controlled from commands in the survey document and the respondent control means to process the survey document and produce a response document which includes responses based on data input by the respondent user.
  • the response document is automatically transmitted back to the collation means address on completion of a response by the respondent user.
  • the survey response document may include a database construction means which enables construction of the database. This is useful where a disaster has occurred and the database has "crashed", for some reason. It may also be useful where the collator has moved location and does not have access to the database or does not know the databases address .
  • the collation means monitors electronic mail at the processing address including the collation means and identifies response documents. It checks the identifier including the response document to identify the database it belongs to. It then locates the appropriate database and commences to process the survey document to load the database with answers determined by the respondent users responses.
  • the collation means and survey author may be on separate processing apparatus.
  • the survey author may also be a different person from the person who is accessing the database to obtain the information.
  • the survey author may be a pollster employee, and the person accessing the information may be the pollster.
  • the survey author can put together the surveys on the basis of instructions provided by the pollster as to what type of information he wants. All the survey author needs to know about the collation means is the collation means electronic mail address.
  • the database may be loaded on the same processing apparatus as the collation means or on any other processing apparatus.
  • the collation means may be collating any number of surveys. It may collate surveys for any number of survey authors.
  • the response document may be encrypted for security reasons.
  • the collation means is also arranged to identify electronic mail addresses of respondent users from response documents are attached messages and to load the database with the electronic mail addresses. These electronic mail addresses can then be easily accessed for future surveys.
  • documents are preferably in “data processing representation” form. In other words, they are in an electronic or other form able to be manipulated by a data processing apparatus, e.g., a computer, and, in some aspects, to control a computer.
  • a data processing apparatus e.g., a computer
  • computer any processing apparatus which is able to manipulate data. This includes computers which use other means apart from electrical signals to process data.
  • the present invention provides a processing apparatus for enabling construction of a survey questionnaire document, comprising an input means via which a survey author may input data, a survey authoring means enabling construction of a survey questionnaire document including at least one question formulated from data input by the survey author and a location address of a processing apparatus including a collator means arranged to collate response documents produced by respondent users processing the survey questionnaire document.
  • the survey authoring means may include any or all of the features of the survey authoring means discussed above, for preparing a survey document with any or all of the features of the survey document discussed above.
  • the present invention provides a survey questionnaire document structure, the document being employable by digital document processing systems to gather information from a plurality of respondent computer users, the document structure including:
  • the present invention provides a processing apparatus for collating response documents received from a plurality of respondent users in response to their receiving a survey questionnaire document from a processing apparatus, including a collator means arranged to monitor incoming transmissions from a transmission means and identify response documents, which include responses and to load a database in accordance with the responses.
  • the present invention provides a processing apparatus for receiving and processing survey questionnaire documents produced by an apparatus, including a respondent control means arranged to process the survey questionnaire document in accordance with data input by a respondent user, to produce a response document including a response to the at least one question.
  • the present invention provides a computer-readable memory including a set of instructions for enabling a processing apparatus to enable construction of a survey questionnaire document, the document being employed to gather information from a plurality of respondent users, the instructions enabling the computer to operate as a survey authoring means enabling construction of a survey document including at least one question formulated from data input to the computer by a survey author, and a location address for a collation means for receiving and collating response documents respondent users in response to their processing the survey questionnaire document.
  • the present invention provides a computer-readable memory storing a set of instructions that can be used to direct a processing apparatus to operate as a collator means, for collating response documents in response to a survey questionnaire document produced by a processing apparatus, the instructions operating the processing apparatus to monitor incoming transmissions for response documents, and to load a database in accordance with responses.
  • the present invention provides a computer-readable memory storing a set of commands that can be used to direct a processing apparatus to process a survey questionnaire document produced by the apparatus, to produce a response document including a response to the at least one question, to be transmitted on a location for a collation means for collating responses.
  • the present invention provides a method of obtaining information from a plurality of computer users, comprising operating a processing apparatus including an input means via which a survey author may input data, to construct a survey questionnaire document including at least one question formulated from data input by the survey author, transmitting the survey document to a plurality of respondent users, and controlling a processing apparatus to carry out a collation operation including the steps of receiving transmissions from respondent users, identifying response documents including responses from the plurality of respondent users, and loading a database in accordance with the responses.
  • the tenth aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a processing apparatus to construct a survey questionnaire document for obtaining information from a plurality of respondent users, the method comprising the steps of:
  • controlling the processing apparatus to construct a survey questionnaire document including at least one question formulated from data input to the processing apparatus by a survey author;
  • the eleventh aspect of the present invention provides a method of collating response documents prepared by respondent users in response to a survey document in accordance with claims 67 or 68, the method comprising the steps of:
  • controlling a processing apparatus to monitor incoming transmissions to the processing apparatus and identify response documents to the survey, and to process the response documents to load a database in accordance with the responses to the at least one question.
  • the thirteenth aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a processing apparatus to process a survey questionnaire document produced, to produce a response document formulated from data input by a respondent user, the method comprising the steps of:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention incorporating apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figures 2 through 11e show samples of video display screens showing information presented during various stages of preparation of a survey document and answer document (response document), such as may be presented by a display means of a processing apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 12 illustrates a number of displays which may be presented by a display means of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating operation of a collation means in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 13 is a functional diagram of operation of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 14 is a schematic representation of a database document which may be prepared in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 15 is an illustration showing the various menu options available to a Survey Author in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 16 graphically illustrates available setting options for the structure of the survey document of the preferred embodiment, and their operation.
  • Survey authoring means survey document preparation means.
  • Local processing apparatus processing apparatus including survey authoring means.
  • Remote processing apparatus respondent users processing apparatus or computer.
  • reference numeral 1 illustrates a local processing apparatus (a processing apparatus including the survey document preparation means) in the form of a personal computer (PC), comprising a data processing means 2, an input means 3, 4, comprising a keyboard 3 and mouse 4, and a video display unit 5.
  • the local processing means 1 is connected by a communications system 6 to a plurality of remote processing apparatus (a respondent users processing apparatus), each indicated by blocks 7 through 12. It will be appreciated that the local processing apparatus 1 may be connected to any number of remote processing apparatus by any type of communication system 6. Blocks 7 through 12 are given as examples only. Note that the communications system 6 is an illustration only. Preferably, communications is via
  • E-Mail electronic mail
  • E-Mail can employ telephones, satellites, optical fibres, etc. All that is required for a user to be connected to E-Mail is that he have an
  • the E-Mail user may log onto any computer terminal and receive mail.
  • the local processing apparatus 1 includes a survey document preparation means to enable preparation of a survey document containing at least one question and preparation of a database document having at least one database answer field for receiving answers, to the at least one question, and a collation means for monitoring incoming E-Mail to identify response documents produced from processing of a survey document, to locate the database relating to the particular survey, and to process the response document to load the at least one database answer field with the answer.
  • Each of the remote processing apparatus are programmed with respondent control means to enable a respondent user to process a received survey document and produce an answer document (response document) from the processing, including responses (answers) formulated from data input by the user of the remote processing apparatus.
  • respondent control means to enable a respondent user to process a received survey document and produce an answer document (response document) from the processing, including responses (answers) formulated from data input by the user of the remote processing apparatus.
  • the survey document (“survey”) can be prepared and launched using WindowsTM with access to mail.
  • a Survey Authoring (SA) module is utilised.
  • SA Survey Authoring
  • the following is a description of preparation of a survey document using a Survey Authoring module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • This question box contains the standard NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons as well as an area for question text.
  • menu options for a range of question types for the author (local user) to choose from are enabled by the menu system. These types are:
  • Check Box - A check box enables the eventual respondent (remote user) to enter a "check” (a cross "X” mark signifying a yes or true status) in each check box placed in the question box by the Survey Author (local user).
  • Option Buttons Grid - Grids in general are the same as the first three possible question types mentioned above. The difference is that they are arranged in a grid format. Therefore the author
  • FIG. 6 An example of a Grid Check box is given in Figure 6.
  • Numeric Field Grid The same as the Option Buttons Grid except that it behaves like a series of Numeric Fields.
  • the question format may include any combination of the above, e.g., a combination of an option buttons grid and a check box grid.
  • FIGS 11a through 11b illustrate, respectively, means which show dialogue boxes for:
  • a label properties dialogue box (Fig 11e) for specifying "label" for a text field. Displays for option buttons grid, check box grid and numeric field grid are not shown. The requirements for such a display, however, are apparent from the previous and following description on how the display looks is generally a matter for taste of the software engineer and the requirements of the system interface.
  • the author may specify any one of the above types of question. Lets say the author (local user) wishes to use three "Option Buttons" because he wants to give the respondents (remote users) three possible options to choose from for a specified question. To do this the author (local user) could use their mouse (Item 4. Figure 1.) to select ITEM/OPTION BUTTON from (see “ITEM" menu, Figure 15) the menu bar. They would need to do this twice. The first click will cause display of two option buttons. The second will cause display of a third option button. Alternatively the author (local user) could use their mouse to click twice on a "Option Button" Icon on the Tool Bar. Once the author (local user) has finished one of these two actions the frame work of his first question is complete.
  • the author (local user) is now required to edit the variables for this question box. To do this the author (local user) double clicks on any clear space within the question box.
  • the Question Properties dialogue box will appear on the screen containing the following variables
  • the author (local user) is now required to edit the variables for this question box. To do this the author (local user) double clicks on any clear space within the question box.
  • the Question Properties dialogue box (Figs, 11f and 11g) will appear on the screen containing the following variables
  • Question Text This is the area that the author (local user) enters the question that he wants the respondents (remote users) to answer. To enter the question text the author (local user) needs to select with his mouse the words "Question Text” and then over type it with the new text.
  • the author wishes to obtain information from respondents (remote users) as to what leave they will be taking between May and July.
  • the respondents (remote users) may all belong to the same company, for example, and the author (local user) wishes to plan company leave.
  • the author (local user) enters the following question text:
  • Question Title These titles are used as reference to their particular question. These references are used in question selection menus, for selecting a current question to edit, and to nominate the branching of the questions (see later).
  • the system generates a default "Question No. 001" where the number part increments for each new question box.
  • the titles may be edited but must be a unique reference within the survey document. In this example the author (local user) will change the Question Title to "LEAVE".
  • the next step is to enter the relevant defaults for each of the three Option Buttons.
  • the author local user simply points at the first Option Button and double clicks with the mouse.
  • the Option Button Properties dialogue box will appear. The main features of this dialogue box are:
  • Option Text This is where the author (local user) will specify the. text that corresponds to that particular option.
  • the author local user
  • Database Field Name This is the name of the column in the database to be prepared in accordance with this embodiment, that will contain answers to this question (the "database column heading").
  • the column heading may be prepared on the basis of data input by the author (local user) specifically for the column heading.
  • a default column heading is inserted should the author
  • each check box grid or numeric field grid comprises a matrix of rows and columns, each row and column having a header title.
  • Each point (cell) designated by the row and column in the grid matrix is a point where a respondent (remote user) will enter, selectively, an answer.
  • a database column heading is automatically prepared from components of the row and/or column heading of the check box grid or numeric field grid matrix. In this example this field need only be filled in once as there is only the one Database Column associated with this question.
  • the author local user will name the Database Column Heading as "LEAVE". The default will be the same as the question title.
  • Branched-To Question - This is where the author (local user) enters the next question that this option would take the respondent (remote user) to if the option were selected. Obviously the author (local user) is not able to nominate the next question at this point because he is currently working on the first and only question. However, the author (local user) can nominate one of three special branching destinations. Any of these destinations, ⁇ FINISH ⁇ , ⁇ NEXT ⁇ and ⁇ NONE ⁇ can be used for just this particular question option, or they can be set as the default for this survey document or the entire system. Specifying ⁇ FINISH ⁇ will mean that the respondent (remote user) will go straight to the Finish Question Box at the end of the survey document.
  • the ⁇ NEXT ⁇ destination will automatically branch to the next question the author (local user) generates.
  • the ⁇ NONE ⁇ destination will become a
  • branching control instructions may be included - see later).
  • On Selection Database Field Value This i s where the author (local user) specifies the entry he would like to appear in the database answer field if the respondent (remote user) were to select this option.
  • the Option Button text says "Yes I will be taking leave during this period", so an appropriate On Selection Database Field Value would be "Y” or "YES”.
  • the on selection database field value may be chosen automatically.
  • the question is in the form of a option buttons grid, having a plurality of rows and columns, each row and column having a heading and specifying a plurality of points (cells) in the grid for selection by a respondent
  • a single column heading may be available in the database and the field value entered in response to answering of the question by a respondent (remote user) may be automatically selected from components of the row and/or column heading for the particular option selected. It will be appreciated that selected field values could be automatically selected for other types of question, as well as option buttons grid.
  • the database field value defaults to "BY PASSED” or "NOT ACCESSED” or the like. This can be edited here on each question, or can be permanently changed for this and all future survey documents by using the TOOL/OPTIONS menu. In this example the author (local user) will not change the Never Seen Database Field value. Now the author (local user) presses Enter or clicks OK.
  • the author then saves the work he has done so far by selecting the FILE/SAVE menu option.
  • the survey document may be given a unique and descriptive name. Such as HOLIDAY. SVM.
  • the author can now go ahead and create the final question in the survey document.
  • the author To start a new question the author (local user) must select the QUESTION/NEW QUESTION menu option. This will present the author (local user) with a new question box
  • the first thing to do is to get the first question (Leave) back on the screen. This is done by selecting the QUESTION/GOTO QUESTION menu, and the choosing of "LEAVE" of the list (Fig. 9).
  • the final step before testing is to nominate which question is the first question to be presented to the respondent (remote user). This is done by selecting the QUESTION/SET FIRST QUESTION menu and nominating the Question Title of the appropriate question.
  • the first test that the author (local user) should perform is the SCAN TEST. This is accessed through the TOOLS/SCAN menu option ( Figure 15).
  • SCAN TEST generates a report of "orphans" and "cul-de-sac” ie., questions which no other questions lead to and questions which do not lead to anything.
  • the arrangement is aware that there is a single question which will not have a preceding question (the question selected as the first question in the survey document) and a single question which will not have a succeeding question (the last question in the survey document). It may test all the other questions simply to determine for orphans or cul-de-sacs. Once any existing orphans or cul-de-sacs have been identified the author (local user) can access them to correct them.
  • SCAN TEST In addition to orphans or cul-de-sacs SCAN TEST also identifies any Cross Linked Questions (A child question that branches to any preceding question) and Duplicate Database Field Names. It will also test for illegal names (e.g. over eight characters for DOS based database) and missing names.
  • an entire list of the items appears on the authors (local users) screen. Clicking on one item immediately takes the author (local user) to that item.
  • item is meant any item which may be determined by the local user in preparing the Survey Document, e.g., Goto's, not accessed, branching-to questions, DatabaseFieldName, etc.
  • the listing will not include information such as question text (although the question title is listed) and the like which do not effect the mechanical structure of the Survey Document (e.g., the pathway through the Survey Document). It is a mandatory requirement, however, that the author enter Question Text. While this will not affect the mechanical operation of the document (the way it runs on the
  • the Respondent Test is accessed either via the TOOLS/TEST FROM TOP ( Figure 15) or by a simple click on a "Test" icon on the tool bar.
  • the Survey Author Module assumes that the author (local user) will be sending the survey document that is currently loaded.
  • the survey author may also mail to the respondents of previous surveys. A listing of the respondents of previous surveys is kept.
  • the dialogue and box will also list all the previous surveys so that the author may click on a selected previous survey to send to remote users who filed responses for that survey. Methods may also be used to select sub groups within the targeted database.
  • the author (local user) will make his selection and press Enter or click OK.
  • Another dialogue box will appear enabling the author (local user) to attach a message to the survey document. For example the author (local user) could use this to introduce the survey document to the respondents (remote users) and explain the benefits to them or the organisation of responding to it quickly.
  • the apparatus will automatically create the database in preparation for the responses. Also, at the point that the local user selects the FILE/SEND survey menu from the File menu they are offered a dialogue box requesting them to name the SVQ (survey document to be sent out) file that is about to be sent out. The default name is that of the SVM (the survey document master - see later).
  • the local user Once the local user has either selected a new name for the SVQ or accepted the default name the local user will be offered another dialogue box asking for them to select the database type that they would like to create for this survey to be collated into. At this point the local user will ask for either a database name and/or table name. The default will be the SVQ name. However, the local user can change it.
  • the database can be fully populated if the author is mailing the survey to a list of known users. However, there is the option for the database not to be populated if their survey is sent to a group, for example, or put on a bulletin board. In the present example, the database is fully populated.
  • the database is comprised of three columns and N + 1 respondent (remote user) rows, where N is the number of respondents (remote users) (+ 1 is the row containing the column headings).
  • the three columns include two columns for the two respective questions, and a column which contains respondent (remote user) ID.
  • Each remote processing apparatus may be configured with a "Survey User Module” or recipient module (response module) to enable preparation of an answer document in answer to the survey document.
  • the Survey User Module will be installed either on the server that the respondent (remote user or recipient) is
  • the recipient module may be transmitted with the survey document, so that a
  • respondents users computer need not even be configured to be able to process the survey document. Instead, the recipient module transmitted with the survey document will configure the respondent users computer.
  • the respondent (remote user) will generally access the survey document through their normal
  • the respondent may receive the survey document by another communications medium, eg. by normal mail, or by any other means. They will read the mail that has accompanied the survey document and then use their mouse to select and launch the survey document. On their screen will appear the question one (LEAVE) dialogue. They will use their mouse to select the option that applies to them. They will then click on next. Depending on their selection either the (FINISH) or the (DESTINATION) dialogue box will appear. Once they have answered all the questions the (FINISH) screen
  • the local processing apparatus in particular the Survey Collator Module is arranged to monitor incoming transmissions via electronic mail other means, even manual entry) to identify answer documents for the particular survey.
  • the "Survey Collator Module” is applied to gather all the incoming responses and load them in the database.
  • the Survey Collator Module has a number of functions, operation of which may be dictated by the collator (local user).
  • the Survey Collator Module may be entered on a different processing apparatus to the processing apparatus which the author (local user) used to prepare the survey document. This arrangement will be particularly useful where the author (local user) makes heavy use of a particular computer and, although he may wish to prepare the survey document using that computer, he does not wish machine time to be taken up with collation of answer documents. He can therefore
  • this module of the application gathers all the incoming responses and puts them in a database ready for analysis.
  • the collator local user
  • the collation process is automatic.
  • An options menu is provided which enables the local user to select whether a particular survey should be “activated”, “suspended” or “terminated”.
  • a survey is “activated” the collator will automatically collate all response documents relating to that survey.
  • the collator will receive an identify response documents relating to the survey but will not process them. It will merely store them.
  • a survey is "terminated” the collator will identify all response documents relating to that survey and delete them upon
  • the Survey/Process menu will now attempt to logon and start the collation process. On loading the collator module it will not start the collation process until the Survey/Process menu has been selected.
  • the way that the collator gets to know about the surveys is when the first response document comes in. When this happens the collator puts its name up on the screen along with information relating to the last date and time it
  • the collator will continue to collate the "activated” survey entries until the local user "suspends” the process.
  • the local user can also decide to "terminate” the survey, in which case all incoming responses will be deleted upon arrival (see later for description of "activated, suspended, and terminated") . All surveys will list on the screen regardless of which of the three states they are in. The local user could decide to delete a survey from the list. However, if an answer document comes in it will attempt to restart the collation process.
  • Figure 12(a) illustrates the main Survey
  • the Survey Collator Module can handle a plurality of different surveys, exemplified in figure 12(a) by "survey 1" and “survey 2" under “survey name”.
  • the Survey Collator Module will automatically start the electronic mail if it is not already running and then start to scan for incoming responses.
  • pre-populated database option has been chosen. Where the database is unpopulated, obviously the collator will not know how many respondents will be required to fill the database.
  • Collator Module will interrogate the nominated survey database and send the mail to all the non-respondents. This should prompt a few more to respond to the survey. However, if in a few more days the collator (local user) still has not received all the responses he may select SURVEY/RE -SEND menu (Fig. 12(c)). This works the same way as REMIND but along with a message from the collator (local user) it will retransmit the survey document.
  • Survey Collator Module will discard all responses for this survey from now on.
  • the database will contain audience responses for each user. If the
  • respondent does not respond this may be indicated in an extra database column (the "respond column").
  • Figure 12(g) illustrates "Options" available with the survey collator.
  • Figure 13 shows a functional diagram of the survey system.
  • the functional diagram shows in brief the steps discussed above of operation of the apparatus and method in accordance with the embodiment discussed above.
  • the author creates a survey with a survey name 101 and mails it out to a remote user 105.
  • the database is created at 102, the questionnaire is prepared at 103, and the questionnaire is mailed to the Collator at 104.
  • the user reads and processes the survey and creates an answer document at 107 and sends 108 by mail back to the
  • the collator reads the questionnaire and notes the existence of the survey in its register. Later at 110 the collator reads the answer document and updates the database at 111 with the answer.
  • the survey document In operation, when the survey document has been completed prior to transmission it is a master.
  • the document sent out is a subset of the survey master, known as the SVQ.
  • the SVQ is saved for subsequent
  • the dialogue box requesting them to name the SVQ file that is about to be sent out.
  • the default name is that of the SVM.
  • the local user Once the local user has either selected a new name for the SVQ or accepted the default name the local user will be offered another dialogue box asking for them select the database type that they would like to create for this survey to be collated into (see above). As discussed above, at this point the local user will be asked for either a database name and/or table name. The default will be whatever the SVQ was named, although the local user can change it. The safeguard here is that the local user will not be able to select an existing database name or table name within an existing database.
  • the SVQ is also preferably saved in collator, as reminders will most probably be sent from them.
  • One advantageous feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the naming of the database column headings when a question and allowable answer utilise a numeric field grid or check box grid.
  • a numeric field grid or check box grid For example, referring to figure 6, which illustrates a check box grid, it will be appreciated that there are 16 possible answers (check box cells) to this question. If the remote user has more than one car, he may check more than one cell. Sixteen database columns are therefore required. Manually choosing a name for each of these database columns would be laborious. To overcome this problem, the apparatus and method of a preferred embodiment of the present invention automatically designate database column headings which are formed from components of the column and row grid headings.
  • the name for the database column heading corresponding to the top left hand corner check box cell may automatically be set at "sedan 4". Similarly with the rest of the check box cells.
  • This naming technique can also be applied for a numeric field grid.
  • the column heading may be formed from combining the entire column and row headings of the grid, as above, by combining components of both of them, or by using the column or row heading only or a component thereof.
  • option button girds may include a series of sub-groups requiring the remote user to select a single option item in each of the sub-groups. In this case, as many columns in the
  • An advantageous feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention allows the database to be fully loaded prior to the survey document being sent out, in order to test whether the apparatus can accommodate the fully loaded database.
  • the remote user when the remote user receives the survey document (SVQ) and processes it on his apparatus to produce an answer document (SVR) , the SVR is sent back and the original mail message and the SVQ are deleted or the remote user is told to delete, so that they cannot be used again by the remote user.
  • SVR survey document
  • the databases prepared to include a "time received" database column to indicate a time at which the particular answer document is received from the
  • the presentation of the dialogue boxes in the Respondent module (and equally their presentation in test mode within the Author module) utilises a Windows feature of being able to present a dialogue box from a template in memory instead of the usual method of presentation from a static resource. This allows dynamic control of the appearance and content of the dialogue boxes from information stored in the questionnaire (SVQ) .
  • SVQ questionnaire
  • SVQ is a C++
  • the Respondent module When the remote user runs the composite file, the Respondent module start-up-code offsets the file pointer in the MFC standard archive read method to point to the SVQ section of itself. It then loads the data to 're-instantiate' itself, processes the data through the normal SVQ methods and presents the questions to the user.
  • the composite file transmitted to the Respondents operates as a true 'object' with encapsulated SVQ data.
  • an 'object' is a collection of executable methods that are specific to the encapsulated data types and structure (an 'instance' of which is held within the object), and (generally) those methods are the only way for external agents (people or processes) to operate on that data).
  • the final size of the composite file is largely determined by the number of executable SVQ methods which are mailed with the SVQ data. To increase efficiency through the E-Mail system the size of the composite file should be as small as possible.
  • conditional compiles on the SVQ object a common minimal 'set' is used by the Respondent module, while the full 'set' is available to the Author module.
  • the main functions of the Author module are the design of the questionnaire, preparation of an
  • the SVM contains the Survey Questionnaire
  • Question-Box methods are available to the Author.
  • the data members for the SVM/SVQ/Question-Box 'objects' and the functionality of the more relevant methods are detailed below.
  • the Menu structure is based as closely as possible on Microsoft 'Office' products to achieve the highest degree of user interface compatibility with Microsoft standards and therefore facilitating ease of use.
  • the user interface for the dialogue box editing used in the creation of the question boxes is preferably based on several Microsoft and Borland 'dialogue
  • the Author module generates default database field names based on the Question names, e.g., user question name as the field name. Users can change the database field names if they wish but there is no need to do so.
  • the database field types required are, in this preferred embodiment, deliberately limited to Boolean (Logical), Text and Numeric. Except for 'Numeric' fields, the other types are automatically deduced by the Author module, and the user is shielded from the need to set the database field types. For 'Numeric' fields the database field types default to 'Integer' but the user may change them to 'Decimal' (assumed 2 places) if they wish.
  • the database field length is automatically deduced for Boolean and Numeric fields, and a default calculation is performed for the length of Text fields based on the length of the field on the users's screen (which may be set by the survey author, as discussed previously).
  • the Author defaults to a system specific value of ' ⁇ Next ⁇ '.
  • the Author module automatically retro-fits the new Question's name into the previous Question's goto directives if they were set to ' ⁇ Next ⁇ '.
  • the scan test (part of the author module) tests for as wide a range of errors possible:
  • the author module automatically checks for missing, or duplicate or illegal database table names at the point of creation of the survey database.
  • the author automatically generates the last
  • the user is presented with a suitable 'Subject and Note' dialogue box to advise the remote users about the survey.
  • Respondent module (Response Exe) is pre-pended to the SVQ, given the 'file-name' of the Survey Master Document (SVM) and the extension 'Exe'. 9. The 'composite object' of Response Exe and the SVQ is mailed to the selected respondents (and to the Collator E-Mail address) via the E-Mail system.
  • Exe the executable methods for the SVQ
  • the SVQ 'persistent data' appear as an executable file attached to the E-Mail message containing the 'Subject and Note' texts (mentioned in the Author module above).
  • the user launches the attached executable its start-up-code offsets the file pointer in the MFC standard archive read method to point to the SVQ data section of itself. It then loads the data to 're-instantiate' itself, processes the data through the 'common minimal set' of SVQ methods and presents the questions to the user. The answers are stored in the SVQ as the user works through the
  • the size of the SVR is extremely important. For this reason the SVR has been created separately from the SVQ. While the SVR's data members are exact copies of the associated data members in the SVQ the number of members is reduced to the bare essentials - see below for a description of the SVR structure.
  • the Survey Questionnaire document (SVQ). 3. The Survey Response Document (SVR).
  • the Collator's main function is to read incoming survey response documents (SVR) and update (or add) the respondents answer information to the appropriate ODBC database.
  • SVR survey response documents
  • the Collators other functions are:
  • the Collator is a straight forward and simple program.
  • Collator Upon starting the Collator reads the E-Mail message queue to ascertain if there are any relevant messages of it.
  • the Collator monitors the E-Mail in-tray. It searches for 2 types of E-Mail messages.
  • SVR Survey Response Documents
  • Both these messages are coded with a signature so that they can be picked out from the normal E-Mail that may arrive.
  • the signature indicates what types of message they are, but not which particular survey or database they belong to. Collator has to open the messages and read them to ascertain that specific
  • Collator maintains a 'register' where all the current and recent surveys that it is 'aware' of are listed. Each survey has an associated status as
  • the responses are being read, the database is being updated or added to and the read messages are being deleted once they have been successfully processed.
  • Collator reads the message, ascertains that the survey is in a suspended state and advances to read the next E-Mail message. This state is set to temporarily isolate the database from the incoming E-Mail. This is useful for accessing the database before the survey is terminated, for staged analysis or repair.
  • a suspended survey can either be re-activated or terminated.
  • a survey may optionally be set to suspended the instant that it is registered.
  • E-Mail associated with this particular survey will be read to ascertain its identity and then deleted without any processing.
  • Collator registration occurs as a result of receiving either the SVQ or an SVR E-Mail message for a survey that has not yet been 'registered'.
  • the survey is immediately stored in Collator's internal register, and the status is either set to 'Active' or "Suspended' depending on the user options that have been set.
  • a user may choose to set the 'Suspended-on-registration' option if the user wishes to set the survey 'cut-off values before any of the responses are processed.
  • the associated database and the number of responses received is also stored in the register on a survey by survey basis.
  • the survey will be automatically placed in a suspended state with a message indicating that an error occurred linking to the database when the survey was being registered.
  • the E-Mail message will remain in the in-tray in this case until it is able to be processed correctly, or unless its status is changed to 'Terminated'.
  • a survey entry in the Collator's register can be deleted if it is old and has been previously terminated. If an old response arrives after an entry has been
  • the Collator acts as if it is a new survey and will attempt to re-register the survey and to link to the database and process the response, unless the default registration option is to set a suspended state.
  • 'cut-off level can be set in terms of either a
  • the 'cut-off level can only be set as a specified number of responses.
  • the survey status is immediately set to 'suspended'.
  • the 'cut-off level can be left empty and the Collator will continue to process until the survey is manually 'suspended' or terminated.
  • SVR Survey Response Document
  • Collator being aware of the 're-creation', can change the database 'updates' to 'additions'.
  • the Collator can re-create the database, and the Author does not have to burden the remote users to re-respond to a previous survey.
  • the Collator can be set to process continually or to sleep for a range of minutes and then awaken to process a specified number of responses only.
  • the Survey Master Document contains the Survey Questionnaire Document (SVQ) , and also contains additional survey 'author' information not required in the questionnaire (SVQ) section.
  • the Survey Response Document contains the answers and sufficient information to link to the database and sufficient information to re-create the database in the case of a catastrophic error.
  • the SVM is composed of four main sections:
  • the StrSurveyMasterPathName is the full pathname of the survey master document itself.
  • the bFlagPrePopulate indicates that a prepopulated database is being used.
  • the default value of this flag is False. If True this flag has several implications;
  • the Survey Authoring Module will create and pre-populate the database with the E-Mail name and address, default mail received date and each question's 'bypass' values;
  • the Respondent Module will set the Survey Response Document (SVR) to 'update' and not 'insert' , ecords to the database;
  • SVR Survey Response Document
  • Collating module allows the use of 'reminds' and re-sends' if this flag is set to true
  • the bFlagRetainAfterReply indicates to the
  • the bFlagFollowUp indicates to the all modules that some of the mail addresses being used are from previous surveys and may no longer be valid on
  • the FirstQuestionName stores the name of the question to be first selected from the QuestionsArray.
  • the SelectedQuestionName is simply a current storage place for the name of the current Question.
  • the NextQuestionName is loaded by the control logic with the name of the next Question to select.
  • the NumOfQuestions is simply a storage area to record the number of Questions in the survey.
  • the ReplyToInfo structure contains the E-Mail name and address to reply to the Collator via the E-Mail system.
  • the structure contains:
  • the fields are specific to MS Mail, but can be extended for any electronic mail or electronic bulletin board systems.
  • the purpose of these fields is to store the Collator's mail address in the message that is sent to the Respondents. Note the Collator's mail address may not be the same as the Author's mail address (see previous description). The Author selects the Collator's mail address just prior to the Survey Document being sent to the Respondents.
  • strTableName contains the name of the table to use within the specified database.
  • the strDataSetName contains the DSN that specifies on the local user's computer which database to use.
  • the DatabaseSystem is specific to MS ODBC, but can be extended for any database system.
  • the strDataSetConnection contains the full ODBC connection string that is the complete identification string required to access the ODBC database.
  • the DataSetDataTypeArray is a list of the data types available for the chosen database. This
  • the QuestionsArray is an Array of Question Box structures which contain all necessary information to present a question to the remote user.
  • the 'QuestionBox' structure is explained after the description of the
  • the Question Box array is accessed by use of the desired Question Box's RefName'; equally when a Question Box is placed in the array the 'RefName' is extracted from the Question Box structure and used as the index associated with the array.
  • the bFlagPrePopulate flag is set to false where, for example, the Author is sending a survey to an electronic bulletin system.
  • bFlagRetainAfterReply flag when false indicates to the Recipient that it should erase the copy of the composite file when the Recipient has successfully sent back an answer (SVR). However if this flag is false then the SVQ may be preserved and used again.
  • the bFlagRetainAfterReply flag when true also tells the Author and the Collator that each recipient may send more than one answer (SVR), and therefore an extra 'DateReceived' field is generated in the database. This extra field is used to make the answer rows in the database unique for indexing purposes, and also to track the arrival of each of the multiple answers. This facility is useful where the local user may require periodic update of the same survey, eg. political poling. Out of date information would be overwritten by the new information coming in from the remote users, and the database "date received" field would indicate the latest date which an answer has been received from the remote.
  • the MailToSelection stores the operator's selection of who the mail recipients are.
  • the MailsubjectText is a simple one line description of the mail being sent to the Recipient.
  • the MailNoteText is used for a description of the survey, read by the Recipient before they begin the survey.
  • the recipients data is exactly the same as reply to info accept that it is an array of them.
  • a Question Box is simply a standard graphical user interface 'dialogue box' with:
  • the Question Box structure must contain and/or achieve the following:
  • Each control is assigned a 'TYPE' indicator. This is used to ensure consistency between the control and its Group.
  • the controls are grouped by 'TYPE'.
  • the Question Box needs to indicate what 'TYPEs' of group/controls it contains. Note;
  • the first 4 are simple types.
  • the 'GRID' is used in conjunction with the first 4 TYPEs to indicate which TYPE of 'grid' it is.
  • ControlData structure is mainly concerned with displaying the controls within the Question Box's dialogue; therefore they are based on MS Windows ControlData structure. However it is the additional fields that are important, as each graphical user interface will store its control's data slightly differently.
  • MS Windows IDOK defines is allocated to the 'Next' button, and the IDCANCEL to the 'Previous' button. This is pure convenience - any define will do.
  • the FieldValueSelected holds the value to place in the database field should Control be selected by the Recipient's operator. Note this is only applicable to Option Buttons and Check Boxes, as Numeric Field and Text Field entries are not predetermined.
  • the database field itself is in the parent group structure.
  • the ItemLabel field is used to name the control ('item' in the Author operators menu) so that it can be referenced by the 'Branching Control Language' (BCL - see later).
  • the ItemLabel must be uniquely named within the Question Box but does not have to be unique across the whole Survey Document.
  • the Author module will produce default labels based on the item type (Option Button, Check Box, Numeric Field, etc) and its sequence number within the Question Box.
  • the 'GotoQuestionName' field is known by four different names when referred to from outside the
  • ControlData structure These are:
  • the GroupData structure is independent from the requirements of displaying a dialogue box through the graphical user interface.
  • the GroupData structure is independent from the requirements of displaying a dialogue box through the graphical user interface.
  • Each group contains ONE database-field, so:
  • Each element is a 'ControlData'
  • the lGrpType specifies the Group Type (Option Button, Check Box, Numeric Field, etc) and is used as a cross check against the Group's ControlData elements.
  • the DataBaseFieldName, wDataBaseFieldType, wDataBaseFieldLength are used in the creation of the database by the Author. Also these fields are used by the Collator when loading the Recipient's answers into the database.
  • the DataBaseFieldName must be uniquely named across the whole Survey Document.
  • the NoneSeenFieldValue holds an Author designated value to be placed in the database field if the Question Box was never displayed to Recipient.
  • the ResultantFieldValue (see next) is pre-loaded with the NoneSeenFieldValue. Equally the ResultantFieldValue are loaded with the NoneSeenFieldValue if the Recipient's operator presses the 'Previous' button thereby nullifying a selection.
  • the ResultantFieldValue holds the Recipient's answer to the question or the NeverSeenFieldValue field if the Question Box was never displayed to Recipient.
  • the wSelectedControlID holds the binary ID of the Control that the Recipient's operator selected. This is preserved in the answer document for debugging purposes, and allows the Recipient's selections to be replayed from the first Question Box.
  • the bNumOfControls tells the code accessing the Group structure the number of ControlData elements stored in the ControlDataArray (see next).
  • the ControlDataArray stores the 'ControlData' elements. Note that the mechanisms that store and retrieve ControlData elements from/to the
  • ControlDataArray does a cross check of the Control's Type and the Group's Type.
  • the QuestionBox structure is based on MS Windows DialogHeader structure. However it is the additional fields that are important, as each graphical user interface will store its dialogue's data slightly differently.
  • the lQuestionType is used by this embodiment to restrict the Group 'TYPES' per Question Box - i.e., only one group of Option buttons, or several Check box groups, but not a mixture of both.
  • the 'IGrpType' sets the 'TYPE' of the Group and does not check for compatibility with its parent question box 'TYPE' - this restriction is controlled through the Question Box only - allowing for extensions to multiple group 'TYPEs' if required for other embodiments.
  • the RefName is used when accessing the desired Question Box within the Question Box array, equally when a Question Box is placed in the array the 'RefName' is extracted from the Question Box structure and used as the index associated with the array.
  • the PrevRefName is used to store which 'previous' Question Box's RefName the Recipient came from, so that if the Recipient's operator presses the 'Previous' button then the Recipient can return to the previous Question Box.
  • the NextRefName is used to store which 'next' Question Box's RefName the Recipient went to. This is preserved in the answer document for debugging purposes, and allows the Recipient's selections to be replayed from the first Question Box.
  • the GotoScript contains an optional 'BCL' (see below) program script to be activated by the ' Next ' button .
  • the ' Next ' button can either :
  • the wQuestionNumber records the sequence in which the Question Boxes were created, and is used to construct an initial computer generated RefName and Caption for each Question Box.
  • the wNumOfGroups stores the number of Groups in the Question Box's GroupArray.
  • the GroupArray contains 'GroupData' elements. Note that a variety of mechanisms exist for the storing and retrieving of GroupData elements in the GroupArray, including access with consideration of desired 'TYPE', etc.
  • the SRV is fundamentally a stripped down SVQ.
  • StrSurveyMasterPathName field of the SVQ is retained as it contains sufficient information to identify the Survey for the Collator's needs. Equally the strTableName, strDataSetName, strDataSetConnection, and
  • SVM Master Document
  • the MailToSelection is decoded by the Author into individual E-Mail addresses and stored in the Array of Recipients section of the Survey Document.
  • the database is then usually created, its reconnection information stored in the strTableName, strDataSetName, strDataSetConnection, and
  • the Respondent processes the SVQ via the following steps:
  • the Collator processes the SVR via the following steps:
  • the Survey Document master SVM is the only version of the Survey which can be edited.
  • the table creation mechanism will not allow two tables with the same name to be created within a
  • an operator may set the cut-off point based on the number or percentage of
  • Recipient's Survey Document answers SVR that it wishes to process. At this point the Collator will automatically set the status of this particular survey to 'suspended'. Additional answer documents for this survey will remain in the 'in-tray' after this point has been reached in case the operator wishes to extend their chosen cut-off point.
  • Collator 's internal register. As soon as the survey is terminated any answer documents for this survey will be erased by the Collator module.
  • An embodiment may utilise "branching control language" to control branching between questions in the Survey Document. This is accessed through any given question box's property dialogue and stored in the 'Next' button's ControlData structure.
  • the 'Next' button can either:
  • the BCL allows two methods to access information from which to make branching decisions:
  • the status of any control in any Question Box, or, the selected value of any database field can be interrogated by the language.
  • At least the preferred embodiment enables formulation by the local user of a Survey Document which incorporates complex branching pathways between
  • any question may include a branch to any other question in the document, depending on document structure design. There may be any number of complex pathways through the document, any of which may be followed by the remote user, depending upon his given answers.
  • the rule is that a question cannot refer to a previously answered question, but can branch to all others.
  • a branch can be triggered by any preceding answer or answers.
  • Responses are automatically processed, the pertinent information extracted and loaded into an appropriate place in a database which is automatically constructed for the local user.
  • the user can then analyse the information anyway that he likes.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de collecte d'informations en provenance d'une pluralité d'utilisateurs d'ordinateurs (7 - 12). Ce système intègre une unité de traitement (2) dotée d'organes d'entrée (3, 4) permettant à l'auteur du sondage d'introduire les données, et une logique de construction de sondage (Fig. 2) permettant la réalisation d'un questionnaire de sondage. Ce document comporte au moins une question formulée à partir de données fournies par l'auteur du sondage. Le système intègre en outre des organes (6) de transmission permettant de transmettre le questionnaire de sondage à une pluralité d'utilisateurs sondés (7 - 12). Le dispositif de traitement (2) comporte des dispositifs de collationnement permettant, d'abord de recevoir les informations transmises en provenance des organes de transmission, ensuite d'identifier les documents de réponse contenant des réponses à la ou aux questions, ces réponses provenant de la pluralité d'utilisateurs sondés, et enfin de charger la base de données conformément à ces réponses.
PCT/AU1995/000615 1994-09-14 1995-09-14 Procede et appareil de preparation d'un document de base de donnees au niveau d'un poste de traitement local et chargement de donnees en provenance de sources eloignees dans ledit document WO1996008779A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

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US08/765,279 US5842195A (en) 1994-09-14 1995-09-14 Method and apparatus for preparation of a database document in a local processing apparatus and loading of the database document with data from remote sources
AU35581/95A AU715279B2 (en) 1994-09-14 1995-09-14 A method and apparatus for preparation of a database document in a local processing apparatus and loading of the database document with data from remote sources
NZ293197A NZ293197A (en) 1994-09-14 1995-09-14 Surveying of computer users on computer network
GB9705629A GB2307574B (en) 1994-09-14 1995-09-14 A method and apparatus for preparation of a database document in a local processing apparatus and loading the database document with data from remote sources

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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AUPM8133A AUPM813394A0 (en) 1994-09-14 1994-09-14 A method and apparatus for preparation of a database document in a local processing apparatus and loading of the database document with data from remote sources
AUPM8133 1994-09-14

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AU (1) AUPM813394A0 (fr)
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